# Cone Volumes

#### JamesShaw

Hi Guys,

Let me explain my problem, and hopefully you can help me come to a solution.

I have been asked to model a Calcium Sulfate dihydrate stockpile (A cone shape) that is washed with water to remove impurities of MgCl2 and KCl. My job is to determine how much water should be used given a size of a stockpile to maximize the removal of impurities but minimize the amount of water used.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Some ideas I have/assumptions I think I should use:
• The angle of the cone surface is always going to be the same, no matter how big the stockpile is (because of the friction forces of the particles and S.G being the same)
• I believe the water source may poured onto the stockpile off-center (not directly above the maximum of the Cone shape but on it's side)
• I should work out the volume of the cone that interacts with the water verses the volume of the total cone.

If anyone has any ideas, or any good references. That would be awesome.

Thanks,
James

The amount of water used determines how far the water penetrates deep the water penetrates the

Depending on the amount of water used, changes the amount that the

If a lot of water

#### romsek

Math Team
You're going to have to give us some idea about the properties that will maximize the removal of impurities.

Are we really just talking about maximizing the ratio of the water that comes into contact with $\ce{CaSO4}$• $\ce{2H2O}$ to that which doesn't?

I'd think we'll need some info on the porosity of the pile.

Surely this problem has been solved before (if you are actually doing this).
Do you have an engineer up the work chain from you you can consult?

#### JamesShaw

You're going to have to give us some idea about the properties that will maximize the removal of impurities.

I'd think we'll need some info on the porosity of the pile.
I don't have access to any of the information regarding the properties just yet. I have been googling to try and find information.

Are we really just talking about maximizing the ratio of the water that comes into contact with $\ce{CaSO4}$• $\ce{2H2O}$ to that which doesn't?
Yes to wash away the impurities, but also you want to use the minimum amount of brine water to do so (otherwise you're wasting time and energy).

Surely this problem has been solved before (if you are actually doing this).
Do you have an engineer up the work chain from you you can consult?
I plan to do this later once I have access to the data onsite and access to other engineers. (I am about to start a new job and this is the problem they are having and have asked me to solve. I would like to get a good head start on it before I start with them.)

Thanks